Manitoba’s Settlement Workers Boost Newcomer Students’ Success

New Canadian students in Manitoba receive vital support through the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program, which has been instrumental in helping newcomers adjust to their new environment. Iliana Dadabaeva, who relocated to Steinbach from Kyrgyzstan a year ago, praised the program for aiding her 10-year-old son, David, in forming friendships and adapting to a new culture. The SWIS program, provided by Eastman Immigrant Services (EIS), organized a bike ride that served as a social event where David connected with peers from diverse backgrounds, including Filipino and Ukrainian children.

Since January, EIS has assisted nearly 4,000 newcomers from 35 countries in various areas such as education, employment, and community integration. The growing demand for these services prompted EIS to open a second facility in Steinbach and expand its SWIS staff to 25 members, dedicated to supporting children aged five to 18.

Community partnerships significantly enhance the impact of SWIS. David received a new bike, helmet, and lock through a five-day program that involved collaboration with organizations like Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart and Manitoba Public Insurance. Tiffany Froese, the SWIS lead, noted the program’s success in fostering friendships among participants. “With our bike program, some of the participants never met each other before. They became good friends,” Froese said, sharing a recent sighting of students riding their new bikes together.

The SWIS program is also planning a basketball initiative in collaboration with coaches from the Prairie Basketball League, which was established by the local Filipino community. This initiative reflects the demographic shift in Steinbach, where Filipinos comprised 42 percent of the 960 immigrants who settled in the city from 2016 to 2021, according to the last census. Froese emphasized the importance of social connections alongside education: “A part we don’t want to underestimate is the need for that social connection.”

Support extends beyond recreational activities. This year, SWIS has assisted 1,819 parents and children in two school divisions with academic challenges, including navigating the differences in educational systems. Dadabaeva highlighted the contrasts between Kyrgyzstan’s education system and the school structure in southeast Manitoba. “It was a program like it was during the Soviet Union. He started school at seven, and that’s why he had just Grade 2,” she explained. A gift backpack from SWIS reignited David’s enthusiasm for school.

The social work conducted by SWIS plays a crucial role in fostering academic success. Allison Tchir, vice principal at Arborgate School in La Broquerie, acknowledged the program’s contributions. The village, previously home to 1,400 residents, expanded its population by welcoming Ukrainian families fleeing the Russian invasion. When 10 new Ukrainian students arrived, SWIS staff provided support through lunchtime meetings, blending language learning with games to enhance social skills and build confidence.

Tchir remarked on the significant cultural adjustments these students faced. “It was major culture shock. They’re dealing with having to leave when they weren’t planning on it,” she said. Principal Todd Long observed one student transitioning from a troubled background to becoming a confident member of the school community. “He’s attached himself to me. I think it’s really helped in terms of their ability to know that they’re part of a community,” Long noted.

Both Tchir and Long credited the diverse experiences of EIS staff for their effective approach to integration. Long explained that understanding the different backgrounds of students, particularly those from conflict zones, is essential in creating a supportive school environment. “The way SWIS helped with us is to help understand how some of the kids played, because they came from a country of war,” he said.

As Manitoba continues to welcome newcomers, programs like SWIS are proving essential in facilitating their transition, ensuring that both academic and social needs are met for a successful integration into Canadian society.